Monemvasia

   Fortified island situated close to the southeastern coast of the Peloponnesos (q.v.), accessible from the mainland by a narrow causeway, hence monemvasia, meaning "single entrance" in Greek. This Gibralter-like fortress, according to the Chronicle of Monemvasia and pseudo-Sphrantzes (q.v.), claims a date of ca. 582 for its foundation. Presumably the settlement there began as a refuge site for those fleeing from the Slavs (q.v.). Ruins of the small city can still be seen high atop the wall-encircled plateau; it includes the mid-12th century domed octagon Church of Hagia Sophia. Monemvasia was captured by William II Villehardouin (q.v.) in 1248, recovered by Byzantium (q.v.) in 1262, and ceded to Venice (q.v.) in 1462. The Ottomans (q.v.) did not capture it until 1540.